27 all-electric seagliders for UrbanLink Air Mobility
September 25, 2024
Florida-based start-up UrbanLink Air Mobility has ordered 27 all-electric Viceroy seagliders from Regent Craft to operate in South Florida and Puerto Rico from 2027.
The 12-passenger vehicle currently in development will operate exclusively over water, traversing the water in one of three ways: as a conventional boat, a hydrofoil, or a flight in ground effect (ekranoplan). Regent estimates its current range with existing battery technology to be 160 mile range, to be extended by the craft’s entry into service date (currently set as ‘mid-decade’) as batteries mature.
“This order perfectly complements our previous commitment to electric se vessels, all of which will seamlessly integrate with our all-electric eVTOL jets, expanding our reach and enhancing connectivity across the regions we serve,” commented UrbanLink founder and chairman Ed Wegel.
The company has previously placed orders for 20 Artemis Tehnologies’ EF-12 Escape crafts, described as a “zero-emission luxury water taxi,” slated to enter service with UrbanLink Air Mobility from early 2026. The operator also intends to certify itself as a Part 135 airline to operate the Lilium Jet, having placed an order for 20 aircraft with options for 20 more.
According to a recent survey conducted by Regent, 88% of Miami’s residents expressed interest in using a seaglider for regional coastal travel, with seaglider operations from Miami having the potential to serve up to 4.3 million passengers annually. “As demand for seagliders grows, this agreement brings us closer to realising their potential to enhance existing transportation systems and improve people’s lives,2 concluded Regent co-founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer.
